Q&A With Bethel Commit: '16 Luke Merz, C, Buffalo

February 18, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

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Name: Luke Merz
Position: C
Class: 2016
Height/Weight: 5-foot-9, 175-pounds
High School: Buffalo
PBR Rank: #119 in MN 2016 Class

Evaluation: 8/23/15- 5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher. 7.81 runner. Has strength in swing. Pull approach. Stiffer lower half effects weight transfer and power. 83 mph exit velocity. Shows decent hands behind plate. Needs to improve lateral mobility. Quick feet and release behind plate. Average carry and accuracy to bag. 69 mph arm strength with 2.16 pop time.

PBR: Why did you choose Bethel University?
MERZ: I chose Bethel University because I loved the coaching staff and the location of the school. Also, the facilities were awesome and the baseball program is very competitive.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
MERZ: St. Scholastica, University of Minnesota-Crookston, Concordia University-St. Paul and University of Minnesota-Morris.

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
MERZ: When I met with Coach Raabe he kept telling me that Bethel needed catchers and he sees me getting time behind the plate early in my career. We continued to stay in touch through the summer and fall and I appreciated his time and efforts to answer my questions regarding the program and the school.

PBR: Do you feel relieved now that the process is over and you can just focus on baseball and not deal with everything that goes into picking a school?
MERZ: Definitely. I feel relieved to have the whole process done. It's nice to be able to not worry about college so much anymore.

PBR: Was there one deciding factor that put your choice over the top?
MERZ: I'd have to say the coaching staff. They were so encouraging and I really liked their philosophy.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
MERZ: My Dad for sure. He has helped me so much along the way and I can't thank him enough. All the hours he's spent throwing BP to me and driving me to baseball events. He's definitely made a huge impact in my career.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it easy/difficult?
MERZ: Overall, it was much more difficult and stressful than what I had expected. I felt very pressured and stressed throughout the whole recruiting process.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have in store for you in your freshman season?
MERZ: Coach Raabe told me that I will be competing for the spot my freshman year and that I will definitely see time as a freshman.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
MERZ: My most memorable baseball moment was probably when I hit a walk-off grand slam to win the game this past summer in legion ball.

PBR: Who is the best player that you have competed against?
MERZ: I'd have to say the best player I've competed against was Jake Stevenson. He is currently pitching at the University of Minnesota.

Q&A With Bethel Commit: '16 Luke Merz, C, Buffalo

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